Incubator



March 27, 1934. J. F. M KAY INCUBAT OR 5 Sheets-Shet 1 Filed Nov. 3, 1928 UN MUNLN WITNESSES Jo ATTORNEYS.

March 27, 1934. J. F. M KAY INCUBATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 3, 1928 MMNLN INVENTOR:

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WITNESSES ATTORNEYS,

March 27, 1934. J. F. M KAY INCUBATOR 5 Shgets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 3. 1928 INVENTOR: g c-faizizi 'imacifa ATTORNEYS.

March 27, .1934. J. F. M KAY INCUBATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed NOV. 3, 1928 0 ,4 0%0 0 0 01 000. 060 Q a Q I N VEN TOR: Ja/m EJ 74101! rfizuxK A TTORNEYS I m; I %Q WITNESSES March 27, 1934. J MacKAY 1,952,599

INCUBATOR Filed NOV. 5, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG-R If.

WI TNESSES I N V EN TOR U A TTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 27, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT- mm '15 Claims.

This invention relates to incubators, and more particularly to hatching structures of the vertical or cabinet type with incubating chambers capable of accommodating a, multiplicity of egg trays arranged in superposed relation. In consequence of the height of incubators of the specific kind referred to, the problem of effectively controlling temperature conditions and air circulation is considerably more involved than is the case with :incubators of the horizontal or deck variety.

It is with the solution of the :above indicated drawbacks in cabinet incubators that my present invention is directly concerned, my aim being to insure maintenance, automatically, of the proper l5 temperatures throughout the incubating period in spite of the counter eflects attending gradual development of natural or animal heat in the eggs as the process of incubation advances, and V at the same time to provide for replacement of foul air within the incubating chambers by fresh air without appreciably disturbing the temperture.

In the drawings, Figure I shows avfront elevation of an incubator structure conveniently em- .b'odying my invention.

. :Fig. IIis a plan view of the organization.

Figs. III and IV are .plan isectional'views in :differenthorizontal planes, taken as respectively indicated by the arrows JIIIII "and I'V-JLV in Figs. I and V.

Fig. V is a transverse sectional View :of the incubator, taken as indicated by the arrows 'V-V in Figs. 1, II, III and 'IV.

Fig. VI is a perspective illustration of the'means by which the proportioning of zoo-"mingled .fresh and pre-heated air is "controlled incidental to entry :into the incubation chambers; and,

Fig. VII is a detail view showing the construction of a flow-regulating valve associated with the fluid medium heating system of the incubator.

As herein depicted. my improvedincubatorembodies a casing which affords a series of separate incubating chambers 10 each accommodat- 45 ing, in the present instance, four symmetrically arranged groups ofegg trays 11 disposed in su- -perimposed relation. These egg trays 1 1 areslidin-gly supported upon guide rails :12, extending transversely of the chambers 10, and are accessible from opposite sides of the structuret-hrcugh :double doors 15. The chamberslo are heated by pipe .coils l6 extendingaround their -.bottoms,-;and vented through outlets 17 intheir tops, therebeing preferably four such outlets, one centrally aaboveeach of the fstackszof traysrl'l; seezFigsiIand II. Venting through theioutlets 117 is .governedby dampers 18 subject to automatic control, individually, .by suitable temperature responsive thermostat devices 19 located "within the incubating chambers 10.

For the purpose of admitting Ifresh intorthe incubating chambers 10 to supplant the foul zair vented through the :outlets 1.7, I provide said chambers with openings 20 through *their floors, said openings being centrally located, .as shown 68 in Fig. "IV. The fresh air :so admitted to chamber .10 :is agitated :by a :rotary fan .21 lying substantially in the same @plane as the heating coil 16. Each such fan 21ilS mounted on a 2-2 whichzextends down through Ithe midst of the to respective group'sxof ithettrays :11 inr-the incubating chambers .10, said shaft :support .at its lower endiin a bridge bearing "23 over the openingZO, andat the top in =a:bearing.24 on the roof of the incubator. Any suitable means :may be '15 provided slowly :rotate the .fan shafts 22,1:for example, separate electric motors 25 :with pulley beltconnections 26, .see Figs. 1, II and V.

.At the :base the structure is.;hollow with provision of a vertically shallow interval .27, (Figs 86 -I and V) which, throughlongitndinal and-transverse partitions r28, .29, .is subdivided into aphirality of compartments B0, in this instance rtwo beneath each of the incubating chambers 10, and acompa'ratively narrow separating channel 86 31 extending medially-of the length of the :incubator. Outside air is admitted into the zoompartments 30 through apertures 32 in the 1incubator bottom 33, "which, as shown in I and 'V is elevated from the floor. The air so admitted :is .heated by contact with the longitudinal pipes 34a. of coils nr radiators 3:4, whereof there are-two, one :serving each pair :of longitudinally adjacent nompartments As shown, the pipes 3421,:cf :the radiators .34, are joined by transverse manifold Eheaders 34b, 3-4;) which are preferably located exteriorly of the incubator for convenience and ease of assembly. Flowtiof warmed fresh air tfrcm the cheating compartments 30*into the 'incubating chambers 11) :is

:istry, to various :extents, with lateral :out how @110 Each such valve openings 3'7 of the compartments through the lengthwise partitions 28, see Fig. III, said openings being in line with the inlet ports 20 of the chamber 10. At the opposite end, the hollow valve has an orifice 38 capable of registry, likewise to various extents, with a fresh air port 39 through the bottom 33 of the incubator. This port 39 is co-axial with the port 29 butis disposed in a plane. at right angles below and between the flow openings 3'lfrom the heating compartments 30. The slide valves 35 are operable by means of levers 40 with fulcrum support at 41, said levers being provided at theirv free ends with handles 42 which are accessible from one side of the incubator. With this arrangement it will be obvious that fresh air and preheated air can be concurrently admitted into the incubating chambers 10 separately or invarying proportions, as required or desired, with assurance of co-rningling of the two streams as a consequence of having to traverse. the hollows of the valves 35 en route to said chambers.

The heating system for the incubator further comprises a heater 45v (Figs. I, II and III) located at a level somewhat below that of the floor plane. A flow main 46 reaches up from the heater and over the top of the incubator, and has branches 4'? which lead downward through the respective incubating chambers 10 to the heating coils 16 in them. To individually control flow of the heating medium through the pipe branches 4'? automatically, in accordance with temperature conditions existing in the chambers 10, I interpose valves 48 in. the pipe branches 47, one such valve 48 being detailed in Fig. VII. As shown, the valve has a tapered closure member 49 to co -act with a seatv 50 within the valve body, and an actuating stem 51 reaching upward through an extension neck 52 via which air is vented through lateral ports 52a. In each instance, the valve'48 is controlled by a thermostatic temperature responsive device 53 in the corresponding incubating chamber 10, said device having a lever 54 connecting with the actuating stem 51 of the valve 48. Thus with increase of temperature in the'incubating chamber 10 and expansion of the thermostat temperature responsive device 53, the valve 48 is automatically moved to closed position to intercept further flow of the heating medium through the coil 16 until the desired normal temperature conditions are restored, whereupon a converse action takes placeto re-establish flow asrequired. From'Figs. I, III and V it will be observed that return flow from the coils 16 within the chambers 10 is by way of a pipe 55 which extends through the hollow base 2'? of the incubator. In order that the radiators 34 within the compartments 30 may function entirely independently of the coils 16, separate connections are made with the heater 45 as follows: .a flow pipe 56 extends from said heater and branches out in opposite directions as at 57 for connection into the headers 34b of the radiators ,34. Similarly, return pipes 58 extend from the headers 340 through the heating compartments 3D and; at their opposite ends join a transverse branch 59 which in turn connects with a pipe 60 that leads direct into the heater 45. Hand valves 61' and 62 are interposed in the pipes 46 and 56, respectively to enable indiiridual general control of the two separate circuits of theheating system.

From the foregoing, it will be seenthat my improved incubator. represents a multi-chamber structure wherein cold. and preheated fresh 'air may be admitted, in regulatable relative quantities, into the chambers 10 independently to replace foul air vented under automatic thermostatic control. By assurance of co-mingling of the cold and preheated fresh air streams in the hollows of the slide valves 35 with consequent moderation of the temperature in the mixture, chilling of the eggs is prevented notwithstanding rapidity of air circulation. This is of prime importance in connection with upright or cabinet incubators where rapid upward flcw of the air is materially promoted by virtue of their height. My incubator is moreover unique in that the means for heating the chambers 10 and for preheating influx air, although supplied from the same heater 45, are entirely independent of one another and therefore immune against counter influence. Furthermore, as a consequence of allocation in the hollow base 2'? of the structure, the air preheating coils 34 operate to offset chilling influences from beneath, thereby facilitating maintenance of a uniform temperature in the incubator. During the operation of the incubator, the rotating fans 21 gently agitate the air within the chambers is, thereby distributing the same thoroughly to penetrate the superimposed trays 11 of the several stacks in each chamber and to circulate freely about the'eggs on said trays. The fans 21 also counteract the direct radiating effect of the coils 16 upon the eggs in the lowermost trays ll of the stacks. An absolutely uniform temperature is thus maintained within the incubating chambers 10 at all times with avoidance of dead air pockets at the, corners.

I claim:

1. In an incubator, an incubating chamber with a hollow bottom-having an air inlet port and a superjacent concentric outlet therefrom; and valve means controlling flow of fresh cold air and preheated fresh air through the outlet, said valve means having a hollow wherein the two air. streams are co-mingled previous to induction into the incubating chamber.

2. In an incubator, an incubating chamber 2 with a. hollow bottom having anair inlet port and. a superjacent concentric outlet therefrom;

and valve means controlling flow of cold fresh air andpreheated' fresh air through the outlet in varying proportions, said valve means being of box-like formation to afford a hollow wherein the two air streams are caused to co-mingle previous to chamber.

3. In an incubator, an incubating chamber with a hollow bottom having an air inlet port and a superjacent concentric outlet therefrom, said hollow bottom providing a separate heating compartment; and slidable box-like valve means controlling admission of cold fresh air from the exterior and of preheated fresh air from the heating compartment with assurance of co-mingling previous to induction into the incubating chamber.

4. In an incubator, an incubating chamber with an air admission orifice in the floor thereof; a shallow heating compartment separate from and underlying said chamber with afresh air induction into the incubating inlet in its bottom; and slidable box-like means to control admission of fresh cold air and pre ber.

.5. In an incubator, .an incubating chamber to replace foul air vented from said chamber,

with a hollow bottom providing a number of separate heating compartments having air inlet apertures and outlet openings; and valve means cooperative with spaced concentric orifices in the hollow bottom controlling admission, concurrently, of cold fresh air from the exterior and of preheated fresh air from the several heating compartments into the incubating chamber.

6. In an incubator, an incubating chamber with an air admission orifice in its bottom; separate parallel heating compartments underlying said chamber with an intervening channel; and hollow valve means slidable in the channel for controlling, concurrently, admission of fresh cold air from the exterior by way of an opening in the channel base, concentrically below the admission orifice, and of preheated fresh air from the several heating compartments with assurance of co-mingling previous to induction through the air admission orifice aforesaid into the incubating chamber.

'7. In an incubator, an incubating chamber with a pipe coil therein around its bottom for heating it and thermostatically-controlled outlets at the top for venting it; a compartment separate from the incubating chamber also having a heating coil therein; a heater common to the several coils and with connections insuring independent circulation of heating medium in each; and a box-like valve for controlling admission of preheated fresh air from the compartment into the incubating chamber to replace foul air vented from said chamber.

8. In an incubator, an incubating chamber with a coil therein for heating it and means for venting it; a compartment separate from the incubating chamber also having a heating coil therein; a heater with individual connections to the several coils to insure independent circulation of heating medium in each and a return pipe for the chamber heating coil extending through the compartment aforesaid; and means for controlling admission of preheated fresh air from the compartment into the incubating chamber to replace foul air vented from said chamber.

9. In an incubator, an incubating chamber to accommodate a multiplicity of symmetrically-arranged groups of egg trays in superimposed relation, said chamber having heating means in its bottom and a vent in its top, an underlying compartment separate from the incubating chamber with means defining a medially located longitudinal separating channel and also having heating means therein; and hollow box-like means with opposing cut outs for controlling admission of preheated fresh air from the compartment into the incubating chamber to replace foul air vented from said chamber.

10. In an incubator, an incubating chamber with a coil extending around its bottom for heating it and means for venting it at the top; a compartment separate from and below the incubating chamber also having a heating coil therein; a heater with individual connections to the several coils to insure independent circulation of heating medium in each and a return pipe for the chamber heating coil extending through the compartment aforesaid; means for controlling admission of preheated fresh air from the compartment into the incubating chamber and means for automatically controlling the flow in the chamber heating coil in accordance with temperature conditions interiorly of the incubating chamber.

11. In an incubator, an incubating chamber to accommodate a multiplicity of egg trays stacked in spaced superposed relation, said chamber having an air inlet port in its bottom and a horizontal fan beneath the lowermost tray of the stack rotating concentrically over said port; a separate heating compartment underlying the incubating chamber; and means controlling admission of preheated fresh air from the compartment into the incubating chamber through the inlet port aforesaid.

12. In an incubator, an incubating chamber having a hollow bottom partioned to define a comparatively narrow channel between air-preheating compartments, said channel having a fresh air inlet port and an outlet port as well as opposed apertures communicating into the compartments aforesaid, and a hollow member slidably-fitting the channel with manipulator means, said member having openings adapted to control concurrent admission of cold air and preheated fresh air separately or in varying proportions with assurance of co-mingling previous to induction into the incubating chamber as a consequence of passage through the hollow member aforesaid.

13. In an incubator including an incubating chamber withmeans therein around its bottom for heating it and means for venting it at the top, the combination of a separate source of preheated fresh air below said chamber having inlet and outlet apertures, and a box-like valve having lateral openings for variable registration with said outlet apertures from the separate source of preheated fresh air for controlling admission of preheated fresh air into the incubating chamber to replace foul air vented from said chamber.

14. In an incubator including an incubating chamber with a coil therein at its bottom for heating it, and means for venting it at the top, the combination of sub-compartments separate from and below the incubating chamber with fresh air inlet and outlet openings and also having associated heating means therein, and a box-like valve having lateral cutouts adapted for variable registry with the outlet openings aforesaid for controlling admission of preheated fresh air from the sub-compartments into the incubating chamber to replace foul air vented from the latter.

15. In an incubator, an incubating chamber with a main air admission orifice in it bottom; a number of heating compartments, each having a plurality of air inlets and an air outlet, separate from and underlying said chamber with formation of a hollow bottom therefor including a dividing channel; and means controlling admission of cold fresh air from the exterior, by.

way of a supplemental port in the base of the hollow bottom, concurrently with the preheated fresh air from the several heating compartments, entering the incubating chamber through the main air admission orifice aforesaid in varying proportions from the dividing channel aforesaid.

JOHN F. MAcKAY. 

